Cutter chain



May 5, 1936, M. 1= l HOLMES 2,039,417

CUTTER CHAIN Y Filed May 29, 1955 v 1 i t l w Il 1 i Nimm Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT i OFFICE CUTTER CHAIN Morris P. Holmes, Claremont, N. H., assgnor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts This invention relates to cutter chains, and more particularly to improvements in cutter chains particularly adapted for mining purposes.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved cutter chain. Another object is to provide an improved cutter bit for a mining machine cutter chain. A further object is to provide an improved cutter bit of the so-called miller or saw-tooth type having a plurality of cutting edges whereby when one cutting edge becomes dull a new cutting edge may be presented to the work. Still another object is to provide an improved supporting and holding means for such a cutter bit. These and other objects will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing there are shown for purposes of illustration two forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one illustrative embodiment of the improved cutter chain, parts being shown in section to show structural details. l

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken sub` stantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modiiied form of construction.

In the illustrative form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the improved cutter bit and bit holding means are shown associated with a cutter chain of a standard design comprising a series of bit blocks I pivotally connected at 2 to side straps 3 for connecting the bit blocks together. Each bit block is traversed by a socket 4 arranged at right angles to the major axis of the bit block and perpendicular to the inner guiding surface 5 of the chain. The front wall of the bit block is perforated by a threaded opening 6 for receiving a set screw 'I to hold the bit structure in position within the bit block socket. It will be evident, however, that the improved bit and bit holding means may be used, with or without minor modification, in cutter chains of various other forms, and it is therefore not desired to limit the invention to the particular cutter chain shown.

Now referring to the improved bit and bit holding means, it will be noted that the cutter bit 8 is of the so-called miller or saw tooth type in the form of a thin annular disc having formed on its periphery a series of tooth-like projections 9 separated by grooves I and each having a cutting edge I I. The annular bit is supported with in a recess I2 formed in a bipartite holder member, the correspondent parts thereof cooperating to form a shank I3 insertable in the socket 4 within the bit block I. The bit holder shank I3 is herein preferably provided with laterally projecting convex sides I4 tting within concave grooves I formed longitudinally of the opposite side walls of the bit block socket, as shown in Fig. 3. The annular bit is provided with a central opening I6, and projecting through this opening and on which the bit is rotatably mounted is a pin I1 having an enlarged portion fitting a bore I8 on one of the cooperating elements of the bit holder and having also a reduced portion I9 secured within a bore 20 formed in the other part .of the bit holder, as shown in Fig. 2. The reduced `portion I9 of the pin I1 has a pressed twithin the bore 20 of the bit holder member and is headed over at 2| in the manner shown, while the enlarged portion of the pin has a loose fit with the bore I8 so that the parts oi. the holder member may be readily separated. As shown in Fig. 1, two of the teeth of the bit project within the bit holder socket 4, while the next two adjacent teeth engage at 22 and 23, respectively, the outer surface 24 of the bit block, these latter teeth cooperating to hold the bit against rotation about its mounting on the pin I1. The teeth of the bit are held in position against the surface 24 rof the bit block, and the bit holder shank is tightly secured within the bit holder socket by means of the set screw 1.

When the forward cutting teeth of the bit become dull, new teeth may be presented to the work simply by releasing the set screw and moving the shank of the bit holder and the two inner teeth of the bit from the bit holder socket 4, it then being possible to rotate the bit about the pin I 1 to bring new cutting teeth into active cutting position, the bit holder shank and the two inner teeth of the bit again being inserted within the bit holder socket with the next two adjacent inner teeth engaging the outer surface 24 of the bit block to hold the bit against rotative movement. When it is desired to replace a worn-out bit, the bit holder is removed from the bit block socket and the part of the bit holder having the bore I8 is separated from the other part so that the bit may be slid off from the pin I'I. A new bit is then placed on the pin andthe parts of the holder are placed together and again inserted in cutting position within the 'bit block socket.

In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 4, the cutter bit is identical to that described above in regard to the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this construction, however, the bit block 25 is provided with an arcuate recess 26 for the reception of the cutter bit. The front and rear walls of the bit block are provided with threaded openings 21, 21 within which are threaded special set screws 28, 28, these setl screws each having formed thereon spherical heads 29 receivable within relatively opposite notches I0 formed on the cutter bit to hold the cutter bit against rotation in and against lateral displacement from the recess 26. This construction eliminates the special bit holder for the bit, but requires a special type of cutter chain block. When the front cutting teeth of the bit 8 become dull, the set screws 28 may be loosened to withdraw the heads 29 from the notches Il in the bit so that the bit may be rotated within the recess 26 to bring new cutting teeth into active cutting position, the set screws then again being tightened to bring the heads thereof into engagement with the adjacent diametrically opposite notches I8 in the bit.

As a result of the invention, it will be noted that an improved mining machine cutter bit is provided having associated therewith improved bit holder means whereby the bit is held in position on the cutter chain in an improved manner. It will further be noted that the improved cutter bit is of an extremely simple and inexpensive design which may be manufactured at a minimum of expense and replaced, when dull, at low cost. These and other uses and advantages of the improved cutter chain will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described two forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cutter chain including a bit block, a cutter bit comprising an annular disc having a series of radially located cutting teeth on its periphery, and means for attaching said bit in a relatively stationary position with certain teeth thereof engaging a surface on said bit block and with the plane of the cutter disc extending in the direction of the path of movement of the cutter chain.

2. A cutter chain including a bit block, a disclike cutter bit in the form of a milling cutter having a series of radialh7 located milling teeth, and means for attaching said bit in a relatively stationary position with certain teeth thereof engaging a surface on said bit block and with the plane of the cutter disc extending in the direction of the path of movement of the cutter chain.

3. A cutter chain including a bit block having a bit holder socket, a bit holder having a shank receivable in said socket, and an annular cutter bit carried by said bit holder and having a series of radially located saw teeth, certain of said teeth engaging an outer surface of said bit block and certain others projecting within the bit holder socket.

4. A cutter chain including a bit block having a bit holder socket, a bit holder having a shank receivable in said socket, and an annular cutter bit carried by said bit holder and having a series of radially located saw teeth, certain of said teeth projecting within the bit holder socket.

5. A cutter chain including a bit block having a bit holder socket, a bit holder having a shank receivable in said socket, and an annular cutter bit carried by said bit holder and having a series of radially located saw teeth and having a portion engaging a surface of the bit block to prevent rotative movement of the bit.

6. A cutter chain including a bit block having a bit holder socket, a bit holder having a shank receivable in said socket, and an annular cutter bit carried by said bit holder and having a series of radially located saw teeth, certain of said teeth engaging the outer surface of the bit block to prevent rotative movement of the bit relative to the bit holder.

7. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a socket, a bit holder receivable in said bit block socket and comprising a bipartite member having correspondent elements each having a groove, said grooves cooperating to form a recess, and a cutter bit rotatably mounted within said recess and having a plurality of radially located cutting teeth, certain teeth of said bit when said holder is in position in the bit block socket engaging a surface of the bit block to hold said bit against rotation.

8. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a socket, a bit holder comprising a bipartite member, one correspondent part thereof carrying a pin having a head receivable in a bore in the other part, and a cutter bit rotatably mounted on said pin and having a plurality of radially located cutting teeth, certain teeth of said bit when said holder is in position in the bit block socket engaging a surface on the bit block to hold the bit against rotation.

9. In combination, in a cutter chain, a bit block having a socket, an annular cutting element having a series of peripheral cutting teeth, certain of which project within said bit block socket, and means on said bit block engaging teeth of said cutting element at one side of a diametrlc plane for preventing rotation of said cutting element during cutting.

10. In combination, in a cutter chain, a bit block having a socket, an annular cutting element having a series of peripheral cutting teeth, certain of which project within said bit block socket, and means on said bit block engaging a forward surface of one tooth and a rearward surface of a different tooth for preventing rotation of said cutting element during cutting.

11. In combination, in a cutter chain, an annular cutting element having a series of peripheral teeth, a link having a recess therein receiving certain of said teeth, and means for precluding withdrawal of said teeth from said recess during cutting.

12. In combination, in a cutter chain, an annular cutting element having a series cf peripheral teeth, a link having a recess therein receiving certain of said teeth, and means including members projecting into recesses between certain teeth of said element for precluding withdrawal of said first mentioned certain teeth from said recess during cutting.

13. A cutter chain including a bit block having a socket, a cutter bit comprising an annular disc having a series of radially located cutting teeth on its periphery, and means for securing said bit in a relatively stationary position within the bit block socket.

14. A cutter chain including a bit block having a socket, a cutter bit in the form of a milling cutter having a series of radially located milling teeth, and means for securing said bit in a relatively stationary position in the bit block socket.

15. A cutter chain including a bit block having a socket, a cutter bit comprising an annular disc having a series of radially located cutting teeth on its periphery, and means for securing said bit in a relatively stationary position within the bit block socket, certain teeth of said bit engaging the outer surface of the bit block at spaced points.

16. A cutter chain including a bit block having a socket, a cutter bit in the form of a mill-- ing cutter having a series of radially located milling teeth, and means for securing said bit in a relatively stationary position in the bit block socket, certain teeth of said bit engaging the outer surface of the bit block at spaced points.

1'7. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a socket, a bit holder receivable in said bit block socket comprising a bipartite member having correspondent elements each having a groove, said grooves cooperating to form a recess, and an annular cutter bit mounted within said recess and having a series of radially located cutting teeth about its periphery, certain teeth of said bit when said holder is in position Within the bit block socket engaging a surface on the bit block to hold said bit in a relatively stationary cutting position on the bit block.

18. A bit holder comprising a bipartite member, one correspondent part thereof carrying a. pin having a head receivable in a bore in the other, and an annular cutter bit rotatably mounted on said pin and having a series of radially located cutting teeth about its periphery.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

